Can anyone here machined/stamped parts like this.....

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I'm needing to have a small number of parts machined, cnc'd, stamped (I'm not sure of the best technology) on a continuous basis.  Maybe in batches of 100.I need them 1/8-1/4" thick made from weldable steel.  Attached is an example.  The ones I need are about 3.5x2" with some contour to them.  I'll send the actual artwork if you're interested.Thanks for looking.
Reply:You need to find a place that does bronze and aluminum, etc. castings. I was a member of an Oldtimers MX club and one of the riders owned such a place and they gave out similar style plaques every year. They just changed the year from say seventeenth Annual to Eighteenth Annual and the year. Machining them would cost a fortune.
Reply:Dave,  he said weldable steel.  Although casting would be better if they were all the same.My name's not Jim....
Reply:I appreciate it. They are all the same. I don't see them changing for quite some time. One guy said he could laser etch/cut them but I'm still waiting to see a sample.
Reply:CNC plasma cut with a backer would be another possible option.Cast steel is a possibility, but you'd have to find a foundry willing to do small runs. Some smaller places will sometimes do odd runs tacked to bigger jobs to run out the pour. It would be easier to locate someone who can do cast iron or alum. Maybe the plaques can be attached with rivets so welding isn't required.I have no idea what something like that would run if CNC machined. You might find a small shop with a machine sitting idle who would be willing to do it though..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Could they be epoxied on instead of welded? I think out of aluminum would be the easiest and cheapest and once they had the mold, they could run a batch when ever you needed. Here's an example of a place that does it.http://www.castbronzeplaques.com/Last edited by Welder Dave; 06-18-2015 at 01:29 AM.
Reply:you can get those made here. http://photometals.com/They can do mild steel or stainless steel. I have bought this type thing for several years. Not sure what you mean by contour. You might have to jig up an arbor press and some sections of DOM tubing to press a concave shape to them after the fact if that is what you are needing done.send art for a quote. you'll need vector art with type turned to outlines for the actual artwork needed for production. Art should be made to actual size and in two colors, cyan and black for example, with one color representing the surface level art and the other color representing what will be recessed.Last edited by Jimmy_pop; 06-18-2015 at 09:56 AM.
Reply:Thanks for the details.I've gotten in touch with both of these companies.  I'd prefer not to epoxy them on, but if it's considerably more cost effective, I'll go that route.Photometals is etching and that's a good idea as well.  We get some great detail etching our printing plates but they're made of copper.
Reply:Your best bet would be to fine a guy who does casting for a hobby and has a small setup that would do your small runs, Going to the larger commercials, you'll only get turned away, as they won't be making enough money to justify your small order
Reply:You probably want to make them from a lower-melting point pot metal so that they could be cast in an inexpensive to make silicone mold.  I'd epoxy them and use a pair of drive rivets to positively hold them in place.Essentially, you'd be using the same process and material that are used to make showy belt buckles for a comparison.  It is even possible to do it yourself if you want without too much cost input.  Can't find a good youtube video on a quick search but there are a lot that are "sort of" on that track.
Reply:Sterio Lithography  creates mold .  Cast ceramic , Copper or brass guilded looked so real , Cost Um? Not a Ceramic the other stuff (processes)  not positive , bigger moneyLast edited by 560Dennis; 06-20-2015 at 11:49 PM.Reason: spelling
Reply:You would probably be better off with a process called investment casting . That is how a lot of your parts are made. Once you pay for the setup . I believe it will pay off . We have one company around here called Atlantic casting and they make parts for diving suppliers in Louisiana.
Reply:Your setup fees are going to be a little more after that you pay for parts
Reply:Originally Posted by Welder DaveCould they be epoxied on instead of welded? I think out of aluminum would be the easiest and cheapest and once they had the mold, they could run a batch when ever you needed. Here's an example of a place that does it.http://www.castbronzeplaques.com/
Reply:I've gotten in touch with a few US companies and not many respond.  Casting seems to be the best way to do this.Some overseas companies have great prices using smelting but I'd like to keep this in the states.
Reply:sent you a private mesage